Derek at 9 Months

This is such a fun age. Derek is such a little charmer! He's a very happy baby, most of the time, and loves to smile, play peek-a-boo, and laugh. He's quite the performer and loves the attention he attracts. I took him to my work Christmas party and he would hold up his hands and growl, wait for everyone to laugh, and then repeat.

He has another tooth coming in. It hasn't cut yet but it will any day now.

He hasn't taken any more steps on his own yet. He seems a bit tentative now after that first attempt where he fell forward. He cruises around using the furniture though.

He pulls himself up to standing. He loves to go to the piano, reach up, and play.

He stands by himself for short periods of time. I expect him to take off running soon.

He says Mama and Dada with intention. I also think he says "nanana" for nurse and "nononono" for no. He babbles a lot, loves to sing, growl, and yell. He's a very vocal boy. It's adorable.

He's very wiggly and active. He jumps. He looks at his cousins running around and you can see the envy in his eyes. He wants, so badly, to run around with them! He recognizes people and gets excited to see his family and friends. What a precious feeling that is, to see how excited he gets to see me.

I think he's just the cutest. Having him in our family is such a blessing.

Would You Like Fries with That?

One day I was about to go to the South Town Exposition Center with Jessica to have some good ol' fashioned Twilight fun when I got a phone call from my friend Ashley. I told her awhile ago that I was looking for a part-time seasonal job to try to get those darned ends to meet. She said that she'd talk to her boss for me and she did. (Thank you, Ashley.) She told me to come down right away to interview for a position. I was not dressed for an interview. I threw on some khakis and an argyle sweater and went to interview. I was hired on the spot and started four days later. I am now a server at a restaurant.

Good thing I got that bachelors of science degree, eh?

I've been working for a couple of weeks now. It's been good. I'm more of a "fill-in" server and only work twice, maybe three times, a week. I'll probably work a little more when everybody leaves for their Christmas vacations. The shifts are only a few hours. It's still hard to leave Derek, even for just a couple of hours at a time. He usually just chills with his Dad or with aunts, cousins, and/or grandmas. So he has fun while I'm working.

My boss is so impressed that I have all ready figured out the computer. That is the least of my problems. I'm more worried about tripping while carrying large trays loaded with drinks and plates of hot food, or about remembering and juggling the little things you have to get and do all at the same time. I think pregnancy took all the memory brain cells and turned them to mush.

I think it's a good job for me. They have a good atmosphere, everyone is really nice, and it's pretty relaxed. I feel really fortunate that I found a job that will get us through this hard time while still allowing me to be home 95% of the week (sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less). I don't know how long I will work. I don't have a plan. We'll see how things go.



PLEASE

tip your servers (well) - especially in Utah where the bulk of their paycheck comes from tips. And it doesn't just go to them. They split it with the busboy. Even if the busboy makes them do most of his job.

Thank you.

Misunderstood Gem of the Week

What Wayne thought Tyler was singing:
"Obama Derek Bear"

What Tyler was really singing:
"Oh I'm a Derek Bear"

I am still laughing.